West African giants collide: Mali v Senegal in AFCON 2025 quarterfinal showdown

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 serves up a heavyweight clash in the quarterfinals as Mali take on Senegal at the Grande Stade de Tanger on Friday. Kick-off is set for 6PM CAT, live on SuperSport.

Senegal have made Tangier their home throughout the tournament, playing all four of their matches there. Mali, meanwhile, have been on the move – three games in Casablanca, one in Rabat, and now a trip north for this decisive showdown.

HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY

This is only the second time Mali and Senegal have met at the AFCON finals. Their first encounter came back in 2004, ending 1-1 in the group stage. Both sides advanced to the quarterfinals that year, with Mali topping the group and Senegal finishing second.

Overall, this will be the 41st meeting between the two West African rivals. Senegal hold the upper hand with 19 wins to Mali’s 8, while 13 matches have ended in draws. The Lions of Teranga have also outscored Mali 61-38 across those encounters.

Senegal are unbeaten in their last 13 matches against Mali (six wins, seven draws). Mali’s last victory came way back in 1997, a 2-1 friendly win in Dakar. Their most recent meeting was another friendly in 2019, when Sadio Mané struck twice late on to seal a 2-1 win for Senegal.

MALI KEY TALKING POINTS

- Mali have reached the quarterfinals without a single win in open play, drawing all four of their matches.

- They edged past Tunisia in the Round of 16, coming from behind to force extra time before winning 3-2 on penalties.

- This is Mali’s eighth AFCON quarterfinal appearance. They’ve progressed five times before (1994, 2002, 2004, 2012, 2023).

- Their last semifinal appearance came in 2013. A win here would take them back to the last four for the sixth time.

- Mali are currently on a five-match winless run (four draws, one defeat). Their last victory was against Burkina Faso in the 2023 Round of 16.

- Lassine Sinayoko is their standout performer, scoring three goals at this tournament. Another strike would make him only the third Malian to score four or more goals at a single AFCON, joining legends Fantamady Keïta (1972) and Frédéric Kanouté (2004).

- Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra was heroic against Tunisia, making five saves and stopping two penalties in the shootout.

SENEGAL KEY TALKING POINTS

- Senegal have won three matches in open play at this AFCON, their best run since 2019.

- They are unbeaten in their last 15 AFCON matches (10 wins, 5 draws) – their longest streak in the competition. Their last defeat came in the 2019 final against Algeria.

- The Lions of Teranga have scored in their last eight AFCON games, and in all four matches at the current finals. They’ve never before scored in five consecutive matches at a single AFCON edition.

- This is Senegal’s 10th quarterfinal appearance. They’ve won four times at this stage (2002, 2006, 2019, 2021).

- Star man Sadio Mané has been directly involved in goals in his last three AFCON matches. His three assists are the most at the tournament, and he now holds the record for most AFCON assists (9).

- Pape Gueye has chipped in with two goals, while Ismaïla Sarr continues to be a threat in the box with nine touches in the opposition penalty area against Sudan.

- Senegal’s midfield control is highlighted by **Idrissa Gueye**, who has completed more passes than any teammate.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

- Mali are chasing a first semifinal since 2013, but they’ll need to break a long winless streak against Senegal to get there.

- Senegal, unbeaten in 15 AFCON matches, are aiming for their fifth semifinal appearance and to keep alive hopes of another continental crown.